A devastating snowstorm across the United States has claimed more than 100 lives, with the highest fatalities reported in New York, Kentucky, and Tennessee. North Carolina also experienced multiple deaths and over a thousand vehicle collisions due to icy roads. In Kannapolis, 14 inches of snow were recorded, while Charlotte and Greenville saw more than 11 inches, marking Charlotte’s fourth-highest snowfall on record.

Significant snowfall was also reported in South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein confirmed two deaths from road accidents. In Florida, temperatures dropped to record lows, with Vero Beach and Melbourne reaching 27 and 26 degrees respectively, breaking decades-old February records. Along the East Coast, winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour intensified the cold.

Weather forecasts suggest that temperatures in the northeastern United States may rise slightly in the coming week, with wind speeds expected to decrease.

Newly released documents from the US Department of Justice have revealed that acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair, mother of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, was listed among attendees at a 2009 party hosted at Ghislaine Maxwell’s Manhattan residence. The files include an email sent by publicist Peggy Siegal on October 21, 2009, mentioning that Nair attended the event alongside former US President Bill Clinton and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The gathering reportedly followed the release of Nair’s film 'Amelia' and was part of its promotional activities.

The email, one of hundreds of thousands of documents made public on Friday, also noted that the film received a lukewarm response from audiences and critics. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the latest release comprises over three million pages of documents, more than two thousand videos, and about 180,000 photos, some of which were previously withheld to protect victims.

The newly disclosed materials shed further light on Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal network and his connections with prominent figures across politics and entertainment.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a reduction in tariffs on Indian goods following a phone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under the new agreement, the U.S. will lower tariffs on Indian products from 25 percent to 18 percent, while India has pledged to eliminate tariffs and non-tariff barriers on American goods. Modi expressed gratitude to Trump for the decision, calling it beneficial for both nations.

Trump stated on his social media platform Truth Social that the discussion also covered the Russia–Ukraine war. He claimed Modi agreed to stop purchasing Russian oil and instead buy from the U.S. and Venezuela, leading to the removal of an additional 25 percent penalty previously imposed on India. As part of the deal, India will purchase over $500 billion worth of U.S. goods, including energy, technology, agricultural products, and coal.

The agreement follows months of trade tension after the U.S. imposed tariffs of up to 50 percent on Indian goods last August, sharply reducing Indian exports. The new deal is viewed as a major step toward easing that strain. (Sources: BBC, Reuters)

Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmadullah has commented on the recent release of millions of files by the U.S. Department of Justice related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In a verified Facebook post on February 2, 2026, he said the Epstein files are not merely a scandal but a mirror reflecting the true face of Western civilization, exposing its moral and ethical decline.

Ahmadullah argued that the documents reveal how political leaders, industrialists, athletes, media figures, and cultural icons—often seen as role models—were allegedly involved in heinous crimes such as child trafficking, sexual abuse, and even cannibalism. He criticized Western liberalism for promoting extreme materialism and moral decay under the guise of personal freedom, leading to the erosion of family values and social ethics.

He contrasted this with Islamic teachings, which he said emphasize moral restraint, spiritual accountability, and the protection of women, children, and family. Ahmadullah concluded that the incident raises fundamental questions about the definition of civilization and the moral direction humanity should choose.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the closure of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, one of the country’s leading cultural institutions, citing renovation and restructuring needs. The plan calls for a complete shutdown of the center for two years starting July 4, coinciding with the United States’ 250th Independence Day. The decision still requires approval from the center’s board of directors, most of whom were appointed by Trump himself.

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump stated that halting all entertainment activities would allow faster and higher-quality renovation, calling it the quickest way to elevate the “Trump Kennedy Center” to new levels of success and grandeur. He argued that ongoing performances such as concerts, operas, and ballets would delay construction work.

The announcement comes amid protests from artists and cultural groups who have canceled performances in opposition to Trump’s leadership and the addition of his name to the building. The Kennedy Center has not yet issued an official comment on the matter.

US President Donald Trump has said that Washington is holding talks with Cuba’s top leadership to reach a possible agreement. He made the remarks at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, just days after threatening an effective oil blockade against Cuba’s struggling economy. Trump described Cuba as a failed state and suggested that the absence of Venezuelan support has left Havana vulnerable, though he did not disclose details of the proposed deal.

Since the US-led operation on January 3 that removed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, the Trump administration has intensified pressure on the communist-ruled island. Venezuela had been a key ally and oil supplier to Cuba. Last Thursday, Trump signed an executive order threatening additional tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba, which led to long queues at Havana’s fuel stations the following day.

Meanwhile, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum announced plans to send humanitarian aid, including food and other goods, to Cuba and to pursue diplomatic efforts to maintain oil shipments. The Cuban government accused Trump of trying to economically strangle the island as power outages and fuel shortages worsened.

U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed optimism about reaching an agreement with Iran. Speaking to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida on Saturday, Trump said he hoped a deal could be achieved. He also stated that the United States possesses the world’s most powerful warships, according to a report by TASS.

Earlier, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had warned that any U.S. attack on Iran would trigger a regional conflict. Responding to Khamenei’s remarks, Trump said it was understandable for him to speak that way and added that time would tell whether Khamenei was right or wrong if no deal was reached.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that discussions on Iran’s nuclear program with the United States remain possible if mutual trust can be restored. He noted that Iran has lost confidence in the U.S. as a negotiating partner and warned that any military intervention in Iran could spread across the broader region.

Russian representatives joined discussions in Florida aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war and establishing peace. On Saturday afternoon, Kirill Dmitriev, a top economic envoy of Russian President Vladimir Putin, met with US officials to advance President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan. Dmitriev confirmed his arrival in Miami through a social media post but did not specify which American representatives attended the meeting.

The meeting took place one day before Ukrainian and Russian negotiators were scheduled to meet in Abu Dhabi to continue talks on the US-supported peace initiative. Earlier, Dmitriev had met Trump’s special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Davos in January and held similar discussions in Miami last December. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had recently suggested that the Abu Dhabi talks might be delayed due to the US-Iran crisis.

According to Washington, both sides are close to reaching an agreement, though Kyiv stated that no compromise has yet been found on the key territorial issues of postwar settlement.

Egyptian-American entrepreneur Abdul Elenani has gained attention in New York for his Palestinian restaurant chain 'Ayat', named after his Palestinian-American wife, Ayat Masoud. The first branch opened in Brooklyn’s Bay Ridge in 2020, following the closure of his earlier outlets during the COVID-19 pandemic. The restaurant serves traditional Palestinian and regional dishes, including 'Maqluba', based on recipes from Masoud’s mother.

Since its launch, 'Ayat' has expanded to seven locations in Manhattan and one in New Jersey, with new branches planned in Washington D.C., Dallas, and Philadelphia. The Dallas branch is scheduled to open by the end of January. Elenani said the restaurant aims to share Palestinian culture and cuisine while raising awareness about Palestine’s identity.

According to the report, 'Ayat' became more widely recognized during Israel’s assault on Gaza, as public support for Palestine increased. Many customers who were previously unfamiliar with the term 'Palestine' learned about its culture through the restaurant’s food and story.

The U.S. Department of Justice released millions of new documents on Friday, January 30, related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The files have drawn global attention for naming several influential figures and institutions, including former U.S. President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The revelations have reportedly caused renewed discomfort for the Clintons as the documents detail alleged links between Epstein, his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and Clinton’s staff.

According to a BBC report cited in the source, the release coincides with preparations in the U.S. House of Representatives to hold a vote on contempt of Congress charges against the Clintons for allegedly ignoring subpoenas in the Epstein investigation. The Republican-controlled House has seen growing debate on the issue, with some Democratic members also reportedly supporting the move.

The documents further claim that Bill Clinton traveled on Epstein’s private jet at least 16 times between 2001 and 2004 and that there were regular communications between Maxwell and Clinton’s staff regarding travel, dinners, and social events.

U.S. President Donald Trump has directed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) not to intervene in protests taking place in Democrat-controlled cities unless those cities formally request federal assistance. The order followed nationwide demonstrations that erupted after two Americans were killed in Minneapolis during an incident involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Trump issued the directive on Saturday and announced it through a post on his social media platform, Truth Social.

According to the statement, Trump instructed DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to ensure that federal agencies refrain from intervening in local protests unless asked for help. However, he clarified that ICE and Border Patrol officers would continue protecting federal buildings. Trump also warned that any attacks on federal officers, vehicles, or property would face serious consequences, emphasizing that federal courts and facilities must not be harmed.

The directive highlights Trump’s stance on limiting federal involvement in local unrest while maintaining strict protection of federal assets and personnel.

In early January, the United States conducted a special operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, who is now facing trial in a US court. During a Senate hearing on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the operation, describing it as lawful and strategically necessary. Rubio argued that the mission did not constitute an act of war under the US Constitution and that Maduro’s continued rule posed a major strategic risk to the United States.

Several senators, including Republican Rand Paul, opposed the operation. Paul questioned what the US response would be if a similar action were taken against an American president, such as Donald Trump, and whether such an act would be considered a declaration of war. He asserted that if a foreign power abducted a US president, he would support war despite being anti-war.

The exchange between Rubio and Paul highlighted growing divisions within Congress over the use of military force and regime-change strategies abroad, reflecting deepening debate on the limits of executive power in foreign interventions.

US President Donald Trump said Washington has not shared its plans on the Iran issue with Gulf allies. Speaking to Fox News on Saturday, he stated that the United States cannot disclose its strategy. Trump added that Iran is in communication with the US, and the outcome of those talks remains uncertain.

His remarks were later posted on the social media platform X, where he revealed that Washington is sending a “massive naval fleet” toward the region. According to Trump, this deployment is larger than the force sent before a previous US military operation in Venezuela, during which President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were detained.

Trump acknowledged that discussions with Tehran are ongoing but said it is unclear what results they will yield. He recalled that during earlier talks, Iran’s nuclear program had to be halted by the US, but that effort was unsuccessful, prompting alternative measures.

The United States federal government has entered a shutdown for the second time in three months due to complications in passing a funding bill. According to AFP, the proposed spending package for various government sectors failed to receive final approval before the deadline. The bill passed the Senate but did not reach the House of Representatives by midnight Saturday, triggering the shutdown.

The political standoff comes amid heightened tensions following the death of a U.S. citizen, Alex Pretty, during an anti-immigration operation in Minnesota. President Donald Trump, in his second term since January 2025, had signed executive orders intensifying immigration crackdowns and increasing the Homeland Security budget, moves strongly opposed by Democrats. Republicans hold a majority in the Senate, while Democrats control the House, where opposition leader Chuck Schumer warned against approving the bill without budget revisions.

Political analysts cited in the report suggest that a bipartisan compromise could be reached within the week, potentially ending the shutdown by next week.

The US Department of Justice has released millions of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, marking the largest public disclosure by the government on the case. The release includes about three million pages, 180,000 photos, and 2,000 videos, coming six weeks after the expiration of a law signed by President Donald Trump. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the publication completed a long verification process to ensure transparency and compliance with the law.

The documents mention Donald Trump hundreds of times, including unverified allegations collected by the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center. The Justice Department stated that some of these claims were false and politically motivated, submitted before the 2020 election. Trump has denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of Epstein’s crimes, and no victims have accused him of offenses. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates was also named in the files, with his spokesperson dismissing related claims as “completely false.”

The release also includes emails between Epstein and British figures, including one believed to be Prince Andrew, though no criminal conduct was indicated. Democrats have alleged that around 250,000 documents remain withheld without justification, despite the Justice Department’s claim that its review process is complete.